Modular Platform System Components and Tools

ABSTRACT

A support member and bracket for a modular decking system, wherein the support member includes at least one securing location at which the bracket is securable to the support member, and the bracket includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook apertures of the securing location; and a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Embodiments of this invention relate to brackets, cross-brace members,tools, and decking members for modular platform systems (e.g. as used onconstruction sites).

There have been significant recent developments in relation to thedesign of modular platform (or decking) systems. Such systems provide asurface on which users can safely walk and work during the constructionof buildings, for example.

For example, WO2013/054143 teaches the provision of a modular platformsystem, wherein upright posts have slots arranged around each post whichare each configured to receive a downwardly projecting fin of a deckingmember. A decking member may, therefore, be supported by four such postswith a fin at each corner of the decking member received in a slot on arespective post.

Such modular platform systems allow for quick, simple, and safeplatforms to be readily build and re-configured. The modular form of thesystems allows many different platform configurations to be built withonly a small number of different parts.

As described in WO2013/054143 cross-braces may be provided between theupright posts to improve the rigidity of the resulting platform.Providing cross-braces which attach securely to the upright posts can,however, be problematic. Similarly, a cross-brace is another part of thesystem which serves only one function (i.e. a cross-bracing function).

There is also a desire to provide more versatile and secure mechanismsfor allowing slots (or members defining the slots) to be provided atmultiple different locations along a length of an upright post.

Embodiments seek to alleviate one or more problems associated with theprior art.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a supportmember and bracket for a modular decking system, wherein the supportmember includes at least one securing location at which the bracket issecurable to the support member, and the bracket includes: one or morehooks configured to be received by one or more hook apertures of thesecuring location; and a pair of side walls and a further wall defininga tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.

The support member may include a plurality of securing locations atwhich the bracket is securable to the support member, each securinglocation including one or more hook apertures configured to receive theone or more hooks of the bracket.

The tapering slot may be an open ended slot at both a first and secondend of the bracket.

The bracket may further include a catch mechanism including a catchmember configured to move between a retracted and an extended positionwith respect to the side walls of the bracket, such that with thebracket secured to the support member and the catch member in theextended position, at least part of the catch member is received by asecuring aperture of the support member at the securing location.

The one or more hooks may include a pair of hooks.

The pair of hooks may be configured to be received between two outeredges of the one or more hook apertures.

The two outer edges may define a wide and narrow portion with athickness of a portion of the bracket configured to be received by theor each hook aperture being greater than a width of the narrow portionand the wide portion being wider than the narrow portion.

The portion of the bracket configured to be received by the or each hookaperture may be at least part of the pair of hooks.

The two outer edges may be outer edges of a single hook aperture.

The two outer edges may be outer edges of respective hook apertures.

The support member and bracket may further include a connection memberwith a cross-shaped cross-section configured to be at least partiallyreceived by the support member to enable the support member to beconnected to a further support member.

The one or more hooks may include two pairs of hooks.

The or each hook may include a hook head at least partially defining ahook gap including a wide mouth portion and a narrow inner portion.

Another aspect provides a cross-brace member including a support memberand bracket according to any preceding claim and a further bracket, thebracket and further bracket being coupled to opposing ends of a beam.

Another aspect provides a modular platform system for use on aconstruction site, the system including at least one support member andbracket according to the above.

Another aspect provides a decking member for a modular platform system,the decking member including: a frame having at least two frame members;an end plate secured to both of the at least two frame members andincluding a fin extending substantially perpendicular to a main plane ofthe end plate, the fin being for receipt by a slot of a support member.

The end plate may be located at an intersection of the at least twoframe members.

The end plate may be substantially triangular in shape.

The fin and end plate may be integrally formed.

Another aspect provides a decking member for a modular platform system,the decking member including: a frame member; and a beam, wherein theframe member defines a recess with a lip, and the beam has a hookportion configured to be at least partially received by the recess andto engage the lip.

The recess may be an open ended recess such that the hook portion may beslid into and along the recess from an open end of the recess.

Another aspect provides a tool including: two arms; and a pivotablecoupling between the two arms to define a pair of handles to one side ofthe pivotable coupling and a pair of grip members to the other side ofthe pivotable coupling, wherein the grip members may each include, attheir distal ends, a respective L-shaped member for applying a clampingforce to a bracket.

Another aspect provides a tool and bracket, wherein the tool is a toolas above and the tool is configured to apply the clamping force to thebracket.

Another aspect provides a bracket.

An aspect provides a support member and bracket for a modular deckingsystem, wherein the support member includes at least one securinglocation at which the bracket is securable to the support member, andthe bracket includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by oneor more hook apertures of the securing location; and a pair of sidewalls and a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a finof a decking member or beam.

The support member may include a plurality of securing locations atwhich the bracket is securable to the support member, each securinglocation including one or more hook apertures configured to receive theone or more hooks of the bracket.

The tapering slot may be an open ended slot at both a first and secondend of the bracket.

The bracket may further include a catch mechanism including a catchmember configured to move between a retracted and an extended positionwith respect to the side walls of the bracket, such that with thebracket secured to the support member and the catch member in theextended position, at least part of the catch member is received by asecuring aperture of the support member at the securing location.

The one or more hooks may include a pair of hooks.

The pair of hooks may be configured to be received between two outeredges of the one or more hook apertures.

The two outer edges may define a wide and narrow portion with athickness of a portion of the bracket configured to be received by theor each hook aperture being greater than a width of the narrow portionand the wide portion being wider than the narrow portion.

The portion of the bracket configured to be received by the or each hookaperture may be at least part of the pair of hooks.

The two outer edges may be outer edges of a single hook aperture.

The two outer edges may be outer edges of respective hook apertures.

The support member and bracket may further include a connection memberwith a cross-shaped cross-section configured to be at least partiallyreceived by the support member to enable the support member to beconnected to a further support member.

The one or more hooks may include two pairs of hooks.

The or each hook may include a hook head at least partially defining ahook gap including a wide mouth portion and a narrow inner portion.

The bracket may be configured to be flexed such that the distancebetween the pair of side walls is changed resiliently.

The pair of side walls may be configured to be flexed towards each otherfor receipt of the or each hook by the or each hook aperture.

The bracket may define a threaded aperture for receipt of a malethreaded member of the bracket, such that extension of the male threadedmember through the threaded aperture presses the male threaded memberagainst one of the pair of side walls to flex the side walls apart fromeach other.

Another aspect provides a modular decking system cross-brace memberincluding: a beam; and two brackets, each bracket coupled to an opposingend of the beam, wherein each bracket is configured to be secured to arespective securing location of a support member, and wherein eachbracket includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one ormore hook apertures of the securing location; and a pair of side wallsand a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of adecking member or beam and a further bracket.

Another aspect provides a modular platform system for use on aconstruction site, the system including a support member and bracket,wherein the support member includes at least one securing location atwhich the bracket is securable to the support member, and the bracketincludes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or morehook apertures of the securing location; and a pair of side walls and afurther wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a deckingmember or beam.

Another aspect provides a decking member for a modular platform system,the decking member including: a frame having at least two frame members;and an end plate secured to both of the at least two frame members andincluding a fin extending substantially perpendicular to a main plane ofthe end plate, the fin being for receipt by a slot of a support member.

The end plate may be located at an intersection of the at least twoframe members.

The end plate may be substantially triangular in shape.

The fin and end plate may be integrally formed.

Another aspect provides a decking member for a modular platform system,the decking member including: a frame member; and a beam, wherein theframe member defines a recess with a lip, and the beam has a hookportion configured to be at least partially received by the recess andto engage the lip.

The recess may be an open ended recess such that the hook portion may beslid into and along the recess from an open end of the recess.

Another aspect provides a tool including: two arms; and a pivotablecoupling between the two arms to define a pair of handles to one side ofthe pivotable coupling and a pair of grip members to the other side ofthe pivotable coupling, wherein the grip members each include, at theirdistal ends, a respective L-shaped member for applying a clamping forceto a bracket.

Another aspect provides a tool and bracket combination, wherein the toolis a tool as above and the tool may be configured to apply the clampingforce to the bracket.

Another aspect provides a modular decking system bracket including: oneor more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook apertures ofa securing location of a support member of the modular decking system;and a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot forreceipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.

The one or more hooks may extend from the pair of side walls, and theside walls may be configured to flex resiliently inwardly with respectto each other.

The one or more hooks may extend from the pair of side walls, and theside walls may be configured to flex resiliently outwardly with respectto each other.

One of the pair of side walls may include a threaded aperture configuredto receive a male threaded member such that extension of the malethreaded member through the threaded aperture causes abutment of themale threaded member against the other of the pair of side walls to flexthe side walls outwardly with respect to each other.

Embodiments are described, by way of example only, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a deck member;

FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-section through a frame member and beam;

FIG. 3 shows a partial side view of a beam;

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of a deck member;

FIG. 5 shows a close view of a corner of the deck member of FIG. 4, forexample;

FIGS. 6 & 7 show a support member;

FIGS. 8-12 show a bracket;

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a diagonal cross-brace member with brackets;

FIG. 15 shows a modular platform system;

FIG. 16 shows part of a decking member;

FIG. 17 shows a bracket;

FIG. 18 shows a bracket (which may be the bracket of FIG. 17);

FIG. 19 shows another view of the bracket of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 shows a support member;

FIG. 21 shows detail A from FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 shows detail B from FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 shows a support member (which may be a handrail support member);

FIG. 24 shows detail B from FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 shows detail A from FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 shows a connection member;

FIG. 27 shows a tool;

FIG. 28 shows a handrail;

FIG. 29 shows a connection member;

FIG. 30 shows a connection member and support member end;

FIG. 31 shows a legacy bracket;

FIG. 32 shows a connection member;

FIG. 33 shows a side view of the connection member of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 shows view through the connection member of FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 shows another view of the connection member of FIG. 32;

FIG. 36 shows a bracket;

FIG. 37 shows another view of a bracket such as the bracket of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38a shows another view of a bracket such as the bracket of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38b shows a male threaded member for use with the bracket(s) ofFIGS. 36-38 a;

FIG. 39 shows a support member;

FIG. 40 shows detail A from FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 shows detail B from FIG. 39;

FIG. 42 shows a support member (which may be a handrail support member);

FIG. 43 shows a support member (which may be a handrail support memberand which may be the support member of FIG. 42);

FIG. 44 shows a support member (which may be a handrail support memberand which may be the support member of FIG. 42);

FIG. 45 shows detail A of FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 shows part of a support member in use; and

FIG. 47 shows a part of a support member into which a connection memberhas been inserted.

Embodiments may include a modular platform system 1 (see FIG. 15), abracket for use in a modular platform system 1 (such as those systemsdescribed herein) (e.g. see FIGS. 8-14, 17-19, 36-38, and 46), a supportmember for use with the bracket (e.g. see FIGS. 6 & 7, 20-25, and39-46), a cross-brace including the bracket (e.g. see FIGS. 13 & 14), atool 4 (e.g. see FIG. 27, a connection member 6 (e.g. see FIGS. 26, 29,30, 32-35, 44, and 45), and/or a decking member 11 (e.g. see FIGS. 1-5and 16).

The modular platform system 1 could take a number of different forms andsome of these forms are described briefly herein, by way of example. Themodule platform system 1 could equally be a system generally asdescribed in WO2013/054143 in some embodiments.

The modular platform system 1 may include one or more decking members11. The or each decking member 11 may be formed from a rectangular orsquare frame 111 (see FIG. 1, for example) supporting a decking surfacemember 112.

The decking surface member 112 may be in the form of a grid structure,for example, and the decking surface member 112 may extend over acentral space framed by the frame 111. In some embodiments, one or moreperipheral edges of the decking surface member 112 are supported by theframe 111 and may be secured thereto (e.g. welded, soldered, clipped,adhered, bolted, or riveted). In some embodiments, the decking surfacemember 112 may be formed from multiple parts which collectively form thedecking surface member 112 (the parts may or may not be interconnectedto each other).

In some embodiments, one or more beams 113 (see FIGS. 1-5, for example)are provided as part of the decking member 11. The or each beam 113 maybe configured to provide further support to the decking surface member112. In some embodiments, the or each beam 113 extends across at leastpart of the space framed by the frame 111. In some embodiments, the oreach beam 113 extends from one frame member 111 a of the frame 111 to anopposing frame member 111 a of the frame 111 (and the or each beam 113may be attached to those two opposing frame members 111 a). The deckingsurface member 112 may rest on the or each beam 113 and may be securedthereto (e.g. by welding, soldering, clipping, adhering, bolting, orriveting). In some embodiments, however, the decking surface member 112is not secured to the or each beam 113 (or any of the beams 113) but, innormal use, may rest on at least part of the or each beam 113.

Accordingly, the or each decking member 11 may be a modular deckingmember 11 which may be provided as a single element of the modularplatform system 1. The parts of the or each decking member 11 may besecured to each other to allow the decking member 11 to be used as asingle item.

In some embodiments, the frame 111 includes a plurality of frame members111 a which may frame a space (i.e. may circumscribe a space) asdescribed herein. In some embodiments, there are four frame members 111a arranged in two opposing pairs (with a longitudinal axis of each framemember 111 a of one pair being substantially perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of each frame member 111 a of another pair).

In some embodiments, the or each frame member 111 a may define a recess111 b (see FIG. 2, for example) which is configured to receive at leastpart of at least one of the one or more beams 113. In some embodiments,the recess 111 b is defined in each frame member 111 a of one opposingpair of the frame members 111 a. The or each recess 111 b may bepositioned so as to face inwardly with respect to the framed space (i.e.such that two recesses 111 b, if provided, defined by opposing framemembers 111 a will oppose each other across part of the framed space).

The or each recess 111 b may be configured to receive at least part of abeam 113 (see FIGS. 2 and 3, for example). In some embodiments, with twoopposing recesses 111 b, each recess 111 b may be configured to receiveat least part of an opposing end of a beam 113—e.g. such that each endof the beam 113 is received in a respective recess 111 b. The beam 113may, therefore, be supported (at least in part) by the frame members 111a in whose recesses 111 b the beam 113 is received. In some embodimentsincluding multiple such beams 113, this may be true for more than one ofthe beams 113 or, indeed, for all of the beams 113.

In some embodiments, the or each recess 111 b includes a lip 111 c andthis lip 111 c may be located at an entrance of the recess 111 b (whichinwardly faces the framed space in some embodiments). The lip 111 c may,therefore, at least partially define an entrance of the recess 111 b.

The or each recess 111 b may extend along substantially an entire lengthof the frame member 111 a and may be open at one or both ends of theframe member 111 a. The lip 111 c may be a longitudinal lip 111 c andmay extend along substantially an entire length of the recess 111 b andso, in some embodiments, of the frame member 111 a. In normal use (i.e.in the usual operational orientation of the decking member 11) the lip111 c may project upwardly.

The or each beam 113 may include a hook portion 113 a (see FIGS. 2 & 3,for example) at an end (or at ends) which is configured to be receivedby the recess 111 b. The hook portion 113 a may be shaped and/or sizedso as to correspond with the lip 111 c. As such, the hook portion 113 amay include an opening which is configured to receive the lip 111 c. Thehook portion 113 a may include a head which is located towards an end ofthe beam 113 relative to the opening, and the head may be configured tobe received by the recess 111 b. The opening may be defined between apart of the beam 113 and the head, for example. The same or a similarconfiguration may be used at one or both ends of the or each beam 113.

The head of the hook portion 113 a may be sized and/or shaped such thatit cannot pass into the recess 111 b of a frame member 111 a past thelip 111 c. As such, in some embodiments, the frame member 111 a has atleast one open end to the recess 111 b and end (or ends) of the beam 113(or beams 113) may be slid into the frame member 111 a by aligning theopening of the hook portion 113 a with the lip 113 c at the open end ofthe recess and moving that end of the beam 113 along a length of theframe member 111 a. Engagement of the hook portion 113 a (e.g. of theopening thereof) and the lip 111 c may prevent or substantially inhibitmovement of the beam 113 out of frame member 111 a (e.g. by movement ofthe beam 113 in a direction parallel with its longitudinal axis). Theengagement may also keep the beam 113 generally perpendicular to theframe member 111 a.

As mentioned, the same engagement configuration may be used at both endsof each beam 113 (in relation to respective ones of an opposing pair offrame members 111 a) and multiple beams 113 may be attached to the sameframe member(s) 111 a in this manner. The position of the or each beam113 along a length of the frame member(s) 111 a may be secured bywelding, soldering, adhering, clipping, or by bolting or riveting, forexample).

The or each frame member 111 a (or at least the frame member(s) 111 adefining a recess 111 b) may be formed from box section material.

With one or more beams 113 fitted to a first pair of opposing framemembers 111 a, for example, the frame 11 may be formed by securing asecond pair of opposing frame members 111 a to the first pair. In doingso, one or more open ends of the first pair may be at least partiallycovered or otherwise blocked (e.g. to inhibit removal of a beam 113therefrom if such a beam 113 is not secured in position along the lengthof the relevant frame member(s) 111 a).

In some embodiments, one or more diagonal beams 114 may be provided aspart of the decking member 11. The or each diagonal beam 114 may extendbetween two respective diagonally opposing corners of the frame 111.

The or each diagonal beam 114 may be secured to the frame 111 (e.g. bywelding, soldering, adhering, clipping, riveting, or bolting, forexample). In some embodiments, the or each diagonal beam 114 is securedat its ends to respective end plates 115 (see FIGS. 4 and 5, the endplate 115 is shown at one corner but respective end plates 115 may beused in more than one corner, and may be used in relation to allcorners). The or each end plate 115 may be attached at or towards arespective corner of the frame 111 (e.g. to two adjacent frame members111 a).

In some embodiments, the or each end plate 115 may provide the mechanismby which the frame members 111 a are attached to each other (i.e. theattachment may be via one or more end plates 115). The or each end plate115 may be a corner plate, therefore, and may be generally triangular inshape. The or each end plate 115 may be generally in the form of aright-angled triangular plate (although, as depicted, for example, theright-angled corner may have a cut-out, which may be a square cut-out).The or each end plate 115 may include two sides generally perpendicularwith respect to each other and a diagonal side. The or each end plate115 may be positioned such that a plane of the end plate 115 isgenerally parallel with the decking surface member 112. In someembodiments, the decking surface member 112 is provided on a first(upper) side of the decking member 11 and the end plate 115 is providedon a second (lower) side of the decking member 11. The two perpendicularsides of the or each end plate 115 may be attached to frame members 111a and the diagonal side may generally face (and extend across part of)the framed space. An end of one of the or each diagonal beams 114 may beattached to the diagonal side of the end plate 115.

There may be an end plate 115 provided at each corner of the deckingmember 11. The or each end plate 115 may be referred to, therefore, as acorner plate, for example (the terms are synonymous herein).

There may be two diagonal beams 114 in some embodiments and these may bejoined in the middles thereof to form a cross, for example.

Therefore, in some embodiments, the diagonal beams 114 may be attachedto the frame members 111 a by the end plates 115 and the end plates 115may be used to attach (or help to attach) the frame members 111 atogether.

The resulting structure has been found to be simple to manufacture andyet rigid and strong.

The corners of the decking member 11 may include cut-outs (e.g. betweentwo ends of adjacent frame members 111 a and/or in the end plates 115)and this may enable a closer fit, for example, with a support member 12of the modular platform system 1.

The decking member 11 may include one or more fins 116 (or tine, orblade) and may include a fin 116 (i.e. at least one) at or towards eachcorner thereof.

The decking member 11 may, therefore, include at least four fins 116.

The or each fin 116 may extend generally perpendicular to a plane of thedecking surface member 112 and may taper as it extends away from thedecking surface member 112. The or each fin 116 may be located on anopposing side of the frame 111 to the decking surface member 112. The oreach fin 116 may be attached to a respective one of the one or more endplates 115. In some embodiments, the or each fin 116 is integrallyformed with a respective end plate 115. In some embodiments, the or eachfin 116 extends from one of the two perpendicular sides of a respectiveend plate 115. In some embodiments, a plane of the fin 116 is generallyparallel with a longitudinal axis of an adjacent frame member 111 a.Therefore, it may be said that, in some embodiments, each frame member111 a is associated with at least one fin 116 and, in some embodiments,with a single fin 116. Around the perimeter of the decking member 11,there may be a single fin 116 at each corner of the decking member 11and that fin 116 may be perpendicular to the two adjacent fins 116around the decking member (and parallel to a fin 116 diagonallyopposite). The or each fin 116 may equally be said to be associated witheach end plate 115.

The or each fin 116 may extend generally perpendicular to a main planeof the end plate 115 with which it is associated, for example. In someembodiments, the fin 116 is integrally formed with its associated endplate 115 and may be a part which is bent into position. In otherembodiments, the fin 116 may be welded, soldered, riveted, bolted,adhered, or otherwise secured to the end plate 115.

The integration of the fin 116 with the end plate 115 (rather than aframe member 111 a), again, provides for simpler construction.

In some embodiments one or more (or all) corners of the decking member11 (i.e. at the intersections of the frame members 111 a) may besupported by a corner piece 117—see FIG. 16, for example. The cornerpiece 117 may be configured to be secured to two adjacent frame members111 a within the framed space. The corner piece 117 may be in the formof a triangular prism shaped piece and a surface of the corner piece 117may include a cut-out configured to receive at least part of a diagonalbeam 114. The corner piece 117 may aid rigidity of the decking member11. An end of the corner piece 117 may be adjacent (and may be securedto) the end plate 115 at the same corner. In some embodiments, anopposing end of the corner piece 117 at least partially supports thedecking surface member 112. In some embodiments, the corner piece 117includes a rectangular section with a triangular section at an endadjacent the decking surface member 112 (rather than a triangularprism).

Some embodiments may include a bracket 2 (see FIGS. 8-14, 17-19, 36-38,and 46 for example). The bracket 2 may be configured to provide a slot23 for receipt of a fin 116 (e.g. of a decking member 11 such asdescribed herein). The bracket 2 may be configured to be secured at anyof a plurality of locations along a length of a support member 12 of themodular platform system 1 (of which the bracket 2 may also be a part).

The bracket 2 may, therefore, be configured to mate with the supportmember 12.

The support member 12 may be an elongate member (e.g. of square orrectangular box section) which is configured, in normal use in themodular platform system 1, to be upright (i.e. substantially vertical).

In some embodiments, the support member 12 may have a ground engagingend at which a foot plate is located. In some embodiments, the supportmember 12 may be configured to be fitted to another support member 12(e.g. as an extension of the other support member 12, which may be inthe form of a handrail support member, for example).

The support member 12 may be formed from box section material and mayhave a square or rectangular cross-section, for example. The supportmember 12 may be formed from a wall defining an internal space (i.e. maybe tubular). The support member 12 may be elongate.

As mentioned, one end (a lower end in normal use) of the support member12 may be configured to be secured to a foot plate (of the system 1)which may include a ground engaging plate 13 with a collar extendingtherefrom which is configured to receive or be received by theaforementioned end (i.e. a first end) of the support member 12.

The support member 12 (see FIGS. 6 & 7, 20-25, and 39-46, for example)may include a configuration at the first end which is configured to bereceived by or to receive the collar of the foot plate. Theconfiguration may also or alternatively be configured to be received byor to receive an end of another support member 12 (which may be a secondend of an identical or substantially identical support member 12, forexample).

The first end configuration of the support member 12 may include a part12 a with a smaller external cross-section than another part (e.g. amain part) of the support member 12. The first end configuration 12 amay be configured so as to be received within, for example, an internalspace defined by the second end of another such support member 12—suchthat support members 12 may be coupled end-on-end (i.e. stacked). Insome versions, a connection member 6 may be used for this purpose—seeherein.

In some embodiments, the support member 12 may carry (i.e. support) oneor more slot members 121, each of which is configured to receive a fin(which may be a fin 116 of a decking member 11 as described herein). Insome embodiments, a plurality of such slot members 121 is providedaround the support member 12 at substantially the same point along thelength thereof. In some embodiments, one such slot member 121 isprovided on each of a plurality of sides of the support member 12 (ofwhich there may be four). The or each slot member 121 may be provided ator towards the second end of the support member 12.

The support member 12 may define one or more securing locations for thebracket 2. There may be a plurality of such securing locations providedalong a length of the support member 12 and there may be one or moresecuring locations provided on more than one side (e.g. all sides) ofthe support member 12.

The or each securing location may include a plurality of apertures 122defined through the wall of the support member 12. In some embodiments,each aperture 122 is defined through an entire thickness of the wall ofthe support member 12.

The apertures 122 may include one or more hook apertures 122 a and mayinclude one or more catch apertures 122 b. The or each hook aperture 122a may be configured to receive a hook of the bracket 2 and the or eachcatch aperture 122 b (if provided) is configured to receive a catch pinof the bracket 2 (if provided)—as described herein.

The securing locations are described in more detail with reference tothe configuration of the bracket 2.

The bracket 2 may include one or more hooks (i.e. attachment hooks) 21each of which is configured to engage the support member 12. The or eachhook 21 is configured to be received by a hook aperture 122 a of thesupport member 12. In some embodiments, more than one hook 21 of thesame bracket 2 is received by the same hook aperture 122 a of thesupport member 12. In this respect, we refer—for example—to FIGS. 20,21, 23, 25, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, and 46. In these and some otherversions, the bracket 2 may include one or more pairs of adjacent hooks21. For example, two pairs of adjacent hooks 21 may be provided, with afirst pair of adjacent hooks 21 located towards one end of the bracket 2(e.g. the top) and a second pair of adjacent hooks 21 located towardsanother end of the bracket 2 (e.g. the bottom). In each pair of adjacenthooks 21, the two hooks 21 may be aligned and each hook 21 of the pairmay be aligned with a corresponding hook 21 of the other pair (in aversion with two pairs of adjacent hooks 21). In some such versions,each hook aperture 122 a may be configured to receive both hooks 21 of apair of adjacent hooks 21 and there may be two hook apertures 122 aprovided (each of which receives both adjacent hooks 21 of a respectivepair of adjacent hooks 21). The two hook apertures 122 a may be providedon one (i.e. the same) side of the support member 12. So, for example,there may be an upper or first hook aperture 122 a and a lower or secondhook aperture 122 a. The lower or second hook aperture 122 a may beconfigured to receive both hooks 21 of a first (e.g. lower) pair ofadjacent hooks 21. The upper or first hook aperture 122 a may beconfigured to receive both hooks 21 of a second (e.g. upper) pair ofadjacent hooks 21.

In some versions, there may be more than two hook apertures 122 aprovided (each of which is configured to receive both adjacent hooks 21of a respective pair of adjacent hooks 21). The two or more hookapertures 122 a may be provided on one (i.e. the same) side of thesupport member 12. The two or more hook apertures 122 a may provide,therefore, an array of hook apertures 122 a. In the depicted examples ofFIGS. 39-41, and some others, for example, at least one securinglocation includes three (or more) hook apertures 122 a provided in alinear array spaced along a length of the support member 12. There maybe other securing locations which include, for example, two hookapertures 122 a instead of three. Accordingly, securing locations alongthe length of the support member 12 may include different numbers ofhook apertures 122 a. In the depicted examples of FIGS. 39-41, and someothers, for example, it is the uppermost securing location(s) whichincludes three (or more) hook apertures 122 a.

In instances in which a securing location has more than two hookapertures 122 a, different ones of the hook apertures 122 a may be usedto secure the bracket 2 at different locations.

So, for example, there may be an upper or first hook aperture 122 a anda middle or second hook aperture 122 a and a lower or third hookaperture 122 a. The lower or third hook aperture 122 a may be configuredto receive both hooks 21 of a first (e.g. lower) pair of adjacent hooks21 of a bracket 2. The middle or second hook aperture 122 a may beconfigured to receive both hooks 21 of a second (e.g. upper) pair ofadjacent hooks 21 of the bracket 2.

Likewise, however, the bracket 2 may be secured such that the middle orsecond hook aperture 122 a may be configured to receive both hooks 21 ofthe first (e.g. lower) pair of adjacent hooks 21 of the bracket 2. Thetop or first hook aperture 122 a may be configured to receive both hooks21 of the second (e.g. upper) pair of adjacent hooks 21 of the bracket2.

Accordingly, the bracket 2 may be secured in a plurality of differentlocations along the length of the support member 12 in some versionsand, in some versions, this may be achieved with using the same securinglocation (which may be one of several securing locations along thelength of the support member 12).

This may be useful, for example, for fine-tuning of the height of aparticular bracket 2. This may also be useful to enable the use ofdifferent configurations of decking member 11 and/or handrail 5. Forexample, FIG. 46 shows, at the securing locations at the top of asupport member 12, two brackets 2 at different heights (i.e. differentpositions along the length of the support member 12) and two differentconfigurations of handrail 5 secured using the brackets 2. This mayenable, for example, the re-use of handrails 5 or decking members 11from different systems (e.g. from earlier versions).

In some examples (see FIGS. 6 and 7, for example), each hook 21 isconfigured to be received by a respective one of the hook apertures 122a (and vice versa), such that a single hook 21 is received by a singlehook aperture 122 a.

The bracket 2 may define a slot 23 for receipt of, for example, a fin(which may be a fin 116 of a decking member 11 or may be a fin (ofsimilar form) of a beam). The slot 23 may be defined by a plurality ofwalls of the bracket 2 and the bracket 2 may be formed from a sheet ofmaterial bent to provide the walls. The or each hook 21 may also beformed from the sheet of material. The sheet of material may be around 2mm thick and may be a metal (such as steel).

The walls of the bracket 2 may, therefore, include two opposing sidewalls which may define a depth (i.e. height) of the bracket 2 and awidth of the bracket 2. The two opposing side walls may provide thebracket 2 with a generally u-shaped cross-section and this can be seen,for example, in FIG. 19 (and also in FIG. 12) which provides a top-downview of a bracket 2 (which is the same bracket 2 as depicted in FIG. 18,for example (or as depicted in FIG. 8 in the case of FIG. 12, forexample)).

The side walls may likewise define a depth of the slot and a width ofthe slot. The width of the slot may taper towards a first end of thebracket 2 (which is a lower end with the bracket 2 in its normalorientation in use, the second end being the upper end in the sameorientation).

The first and second ends of the bracket 2 may be open ends (allowingaccess to the slot). The depth of the bracket 2 may be larger than thewidth of the bracket 2 (at its widest point). The depth of the bracket 2may be larger than the thickness of the bracket 2.

The or each hook 21 may be provided at a rear of the bracket 2 and afurther wall may be provided at a front of the bracket 2. The furtherwall may connect the two side walls and may define a thickness of thebracket 2 (i.e. a distance between the two side walls) and so athickness of the slot 23. The further wall may, due to the tapering ofthe slot, be angled with respect to an opposing edge of the bracket 2.The further wall may be generally perpendicular to the side walls (e.g.see FIG. 8) or may be rounded (e.g. see FIG. 17).

The walls of the bracket 2 may form a u-shaped cross-section (with theslot being within the u-shape). Therefore, the rear of the slot may beopen.

The or each hook 21 may extend rearward from the side walls and may beplanar with the side walls.

The or each hook 21 may include a hook head 21 a and a hook gap 21 b(defined at least in part by the hook head 21 a). In some embodiments,the hook gap 21 b is defined between the hook head 21 a and one of theside walls (e.g. between the hook head 21 a and a rear edge of that sidewall). A hook neck may connect the hook head 21 a to the side wall or,in some versions, the hook neck may be considered to be part of the sidewall or hook head 21 a.

The hook gap 21 b may include a wide mouth portion and a narrow innerportion (as in FIG. 17, for example) or may be of a uniform size (as inFIG. 8, for example). The wide mouth portion may aid in attachment ofthe bracket 2 to the support member 12. The narrow inner portion may besized to receive (e.g. tightly or in a generally snug manner) a wall ofthe support member 12. The wide mouth may, therefore, provide a widerhook gap 21 b than the hook gap 21 b at the narrow inner portion. Thehook gap 21 b may taper between the wide mouth portion and the narrowinner portion. Whilst this form of hook gap 21 b is described withreference to FIGS. 17-19, for example, this form of hook gap 21 b mayalso be provided in relation to other versions, such as those of FIGS.8-14.

The hook head 21 a is configured to be received by a hook aperture 122 aof the support member 12 and the hook gap 21 b is then configured toreceive part of the wall of the support member 12 to retain the bracket2 on the support member 12.

In some embodiments there may be multiple hooks 21 provided in one ormore pairs of hooks 21. These may be an upper pair and may also includea lower pair of hooks 21. The upper pair may be located towards thesecond end of the bracket 2 and the lower pair may be located towardsthe first end of the bracket 2, for example. Each hook 21 of a pair ofhooks 21 may extend rearward from a different side wall of the bracket 2and each hook 21 of a pair of hooks 21 may be at substantially the sameheight with respect to the side wall.

Accordingly, the hook apertures 122 a of the apertures 122 of thesupport member 12 may be arranged (i.e. provided) in pairs—correspondingwith the hooks 21 of the bracket 2. In other words, the hook apertures122 a in two-by-two grouping. However, this need not be the case and,indeed, two adjacent hooks 21 may be received by one hook aperture 122 ain some versions (and so hook apertures 122 a may be provided in aone-by-two (or more) array).

In some versions, whilst hook apertures 122 a have been described asindividual apertures, it may be that a single aperture is provided whichdefines two (or more) hook apertures 122 a. In other words, the supportmember 12 may define an aperture which includes a plurality of hookaperture parts, each of which acts as a hook aperture 122 a as describedherein. In other words, two or more hook apertures 122 a (which may behook apertures 122 a of the same securing location) may beinterconnected apertures (e.g. joined together to form one multi-partaperture). This need not, however, be the case and each hook aperture122 a described herein may be a separate (e.g. distinct) aperture 122 a.

The hook apertures 122 a may, therefore, in some examples, include upperand lower pairs of apertures, for example. In some embodiments, the hookapertures 122 a are provided in groups of four, with each group of fourincluding a first pair and a second pair located at different pointsalong the length of the support member 12 (but closer to each other thanto any other hook apertures 122 a). There may be an upper group of fourhook apertures 122 a and a lower group of four apertures 122 a, forexample. In some such embodiments, the upper pair of hooks 21 of thebracket 2 may be received by the first (i.e. uppermost) pair of theupper group of four hook apertures 122 a and the lower pair of hooks 21of the bracket 2 may be received by the second (i.e. lowermost) pair ofthe lower group of four hook apertures 122 a or, in some versions, bythe first (i.e. uppermost) pair of the lower group of four hookapertures 122 a. Other configurations of hook apertures 122 a may beprovided. For example, hook apertures 122 a may be provided as agenerally equally spaced array of hook apertures 122 a along a length ofthe support member 12.

The bracket 2 may further include a catch mechanism 22 (this may beprovided in versions with each single hook 21 received by a single hookaperture 122 a, or in relation to versions in which more than one hook21 is received by the same hook aperture 122 a). The catch mechanism 22may include a catch member 22 a and a barrel 22 b. The barrel 22 b maybe mounted to one of the side walls of the bracket 2, for example. Thebarrel 22 b may be mounted in a fixed position with respect to the sidewall of the bracket 2. The barrel 22 b may be configured to receive thecatch member 22 a and to guide movement of the catch member 22 a betweena retracted and an extended position relative to the barrel 22 b. Thecatch mechanism 22 may include a resilient biasing arrangement (notshown) such as a spring (which may be a helical spring) configured tobias the catch member 22 a into the extended position with respect tothe barrel 22 b.

The catch member 22 a may have a first end which is located towards therear of the bracket 2 and a second end which is located towards a frontof the bracket 2.

The extended position of the catch member 22 a may be such that itprojects more rearward than it does when in the retracted position.

The second end of the catch member 22 a may, therefore, include a handleor handle section to enable the catch member 22 a to be pulled (e.g.manually) into or towards the retracted position (i.e. forward withrespect to the bracket 2).

The catch mechanism 22 may be configured such that, with the catchmember 22 a in the extended position and the or each hook 21 engagingthe support member, the catch member 22 a is received, in part, by acatch aperture 122 b of the support member 12. The catch aperture 122 bis, therefore, positioned to enable the receipt of the catch member 22 ain this manner. With the catch member 22 a in the retracted position,however, the catch member 22 b may be drawn clear of the catch aperture122 b.

In some embodiments, the catch mechanism 22 and so the catch member 22 ais located between the two pairs of hooks 21 (in embodiments in whichtwo pairs of hooks 21 are provided) and may be closer to the upper pairthan the lower pair, for example.

The catch barrel 22 b may be, for example, welded or otherwise securedto the side wall of the bracket 2.

Accordingly, the bracket 2 may be secured to the support member 12 in areleasable manner, with the catch mechanism 22 hindering orsubstantially preventing accidental removal of the bracket 2 from thesupport member 12. The bracket 2 may be so secured, in some embodiments,at a plurality of different locations along a length of the supportmember 12.

In some versions there may be no catch mechanism 22.

In some versions, the or each hook aperture 122 a includes a narrow part(which may be an upper part) and a wide part (which may be a lowerpart)—upper and lower being in relation to the position with the supportmember 12 in its normal in use configuration.

A distance between outer surfaces of the or each bracket 2 is athickness of the bracket 2. In FIG. 19, for example, a thickness of thebracket 2 is indicated as being 11 mm.

The wide part of the or each hook aperture 122 a may be wider than orsubstantially the same as the thickness of the bracket 2. This wide partis, for example, indicated in FIG. 21 as being about 13 mm (e.g. about12.5 mm). The narrow part of the or each hook aperture 122 a may benarrower than the thickness of the bracket 2. The narrow part is, forexample, indicated in FIG. 21 as being about 10 mm (e.g. about 9.5 mm).

The or each hook aperture 122 a may be sized to receive the hook head 21a of a bracket 2 therethrough and, in some versions, two such hook heads21 a from an adjacent pair of hook heads 21 a. The or each hook aperture122 a may have a height which is, therefore, larger than a height of thehook head 21 a or heads 21 a to be received therethrough. The height ofthe wide part of the or each hook aperture 122 a may, however, besmaller than the height of the hook head 21 a or heads 21 a, such thatat least part of the hook head 21 a or heads 21 a must be receivedthrough the narrow part of that hook aperture 122 a. Accordingly, insome versions, in order to fit the bracket 2 to the support member 12the thickness of the bracket 2 needs to be reduced to the width of thenarrow part of the or each hook aperture 122 a. This may be achieved,for example, by resiliently flexing the side walls of the bracket 2towards each other (i.e. by pressing the side walls of the bracket 2towards each other). This may be achieved, for example, by applying aclamping force to the bracket 2. In such a manner the bracket 2 may befitted to the support member 12 with hook heads 21 a of a pair ofadjacent hooks 21 passing through a hook aperture 122 a. The clampingforce on the bracket 2 may then be released. This may cause the sidewalls of the bracket 2 to return, resiliently, to substantially theiroriginal position (or to a position dictated by the hook aperture 122 awhich received them).

If this clamping force is removed with a wall of the support member 12received by the hook gap 21 b and an edge of that wall engaging thebracket 2 (e.g. with the edge of the wall of the support member 12engaging the hook neck), then the height of the wide part of the hookaperture 122 a and the thickness of the bracket 2 (i.e. the distancebetween the outer surfaces of the side walls) being greater than thewidth of the narrow part of the hook aperture 122 a, is such that thebracket 2 is substantially prevented from being removed from the supportmember 12 without re-applying the aforementioned clamping force toreduce that thickness resiliently such that the hook heads 21 a can passthrough, at least partially, the narrow part of the hook aperture 122 a.

The neck portion of the or each hook 21 may have a size substantiallyequal to or less than the height of the wide part of the hook aperture122 a, for example.

This may, therefore, enable the bracket 2 to be securely fitted to thesupport member 12 without the need for a catch mechanism 22 (althoughone may also be provided).

The bracket 2 of FIGS. 17-19 is one example of a bracket 2 which may beused in such a m

Removal of the bracket 2 from the support member 12 can be achieved bythe reverse process (e.g. the application of the clamping force toreduce the thickness of the bracket 2, resiliently, to enable itsremoval at least partially through the narrow part of the hook aperture122 a).

Whilst some versions use one hook aperture 122 a to receive two hooks 21of a pair of adjacent hooks 21, and to be secured in place by virtue ofthe narrow part of the hook aperture 122 a substantially preventingremoval of the hooks 21, it is also possible for the same effect to beachieved using two hook apertures 122 a—each configured to receive arespective one of the pair of hooks 21. In such versions, the wide andnarrow parts of the hook aperture 122 a are effectively defined by thedistance between the respective outer side edges of the two hookapertures 122 a.

Accordingly, in some versions, there may be at least one hook aperture122 a configured to receive a pair of adjacent hooks 21. The at leastone hook aperture 122 a may include a first outer side edge and a secondouter side edge (which may be edges of the same aperture 122 a ordifferent but adjacent apertures 122 a). The first and second outer sideedges may define a wide part and a narrow part, as described above andmay be opposing edges.

The clamping force required to reduce the thickness of the bracket 2sufficiently to enable its secure fitting to the support member 12 asdescribed may be applied using a tool 4 (a version of which is depictedin FIG. 27 for example). The tool 4 may include two arms with apivotable coupling 41 therebetween to form a pair of pliers. A pair ofhandles 42 may be defined to one side of the pivotable coupling 41 and apair of grip members 43 may be defined to the other side of thepivotable coupling 41. The grip members 43 may each include, at theirdistal ends, a respective L-shaped member. The two L-shaped members maybe orientated such that with the tool 4 in a closed configuration theL-shaped members generally form a rectangular hole therebetween. TheL-shaped members are shaped and sized to as to receive at least part ofa bracket 2 therebetween, such that the bracket 2 is gripped andsupported by the L-shaped members when the tool 4 is in the closedconfiguration. The application of a force to the pair of handles 42 (tomove the handles 42 of the pair towards each other) may, therefore,apply the clamping force to the bracket 2 which may then be fitted tothe support member 12. The tool 4 can then be moved to an openconfiguration (e.g. by moving the handles 42 away from each other) torelease the bracket 2. The same process may be adopted to remove thebracket 2 (with the bracket 2 being gripped and the clamping force beingapplied before the bracket 2 is moved out of engagement with the supportmember 12, and then released).

In some versions, with reference to the bracket 2 in FIGS. 36-38 forexample, the narrow part of the or each hook aperture 122 a may be widerthan or substantially the same as the thickness of the bracket 2. Thewide part of the or each hook aperture 122 a may be wider than thethickness of the bracket 2 and wider than the narrow part.

The or each hook aperture 122 a may, therefore, be sized to receive thehook head 21 a of a bracket 2 therethrough and, in some versions, twosuch hook heads 21 a from an adjacent pair of hook heads 21 a. The oreach hook aperture 122 a may have a height which is, therefore, largerthan a height of the hook head 21 a or heads 21 a to be receivedtherethrough.

The bracket 2 in some such versions may include a threaded aperture 24.The threaded aperture 24 may be provided in one of the side walls of thebracket 2 and may be located towards one end (e.g. the first end (whichmay be the lower end in normal use)). The threaded aperture 24 may beprovided, for example, by the attachment (e.g. through welding) of a nutto a first tab which extends from the bracket 2 (e.g. from one of theside walls of the bracket 2). The threaded aperture 24 may, therefore,be defined by a first of the side walls of the bracket 2 and/or by afemale threaded member (such as the nut) attached thereto. The threadedaperture 24 is configured to receive a male threaded member 25 (such asa bolt) therethrough (which is correspondingly threaded with respect tothe threaded aperture 24), with rotation of the male threaded member 25within the threaded aperture controlling the degree of extension of themale threaded member 25 with respect to the first of the side walls. Apart of an opposing side wall (e.g. a second side wall) of the bracket 2may face the threaded aperture 24. This part may be a tab thereof (e.g.a second tab), which may extend from one end of the bracket (e.g. thefirst end (which may be the lower end in normal use)). Accordingly, whenthe male threaded member 25 is extended sufficiently (e.g. by rotationwith respect to the bracket 2) it will abut the part of the opposingside wall. Continued extension of the male threaded member 25 (e.g. byrotation with respect to the bracket 2) will cause the first and secondside walls to move apart. This will, therefore, increase the thicknessof the bracket 2.

Accordingly, in some versions, in order to fit the bracket 2 to thesupport member 12, the bracket 2 may be fitted to the support member 12with hook heads 21 a of a pair of adjacent hooks 21 passing through ahook aperture 122 a. The bracket 2 may be manoeuvred such that theadjacent hooks 21 are located in the wider part of the hook aperture 122a. The thickness of the bracket 2 may then be increased (using thethreaded aperture 24 and male threaded member 25) such that thethickness exceeds the width of the narrow part. The height of the hookhead 21 a may be larger, in some such versions, than a height of thewide part of the hook aperture 122 a and so the bracket 2 may then betrapped and so inhibited from removal. In some versions, the thicknessof the bracket 2 may be increased such that the side walls about theedges of support member 12 defining the hook aperture 122 a and this mayhelp to brace the bracket 2 (e.g. inhibiting rotational movement of thebracket 2 with respect to the support member 12).

Removal of the bracket 2 from the support member 12 may entail therotation of the male threaded member 25 to retract it with respect tothe threaded aperture 24 and so reduce the thickness of the bracket 2 toenable removal through the narrow (and wide) parts of the hook aperture122 a. As will be appreciated, the bracket 2 may be configured toreturn, resiliently, to it narrower thickness.

This may, therefore, again enable the bracket 2 to be securely fitted tothe support member 12 without the need for a catch mechanism 22(although one may also be provided).

As will be understood, in some versions, therefore, the bracket 2 (and,in particular, the side walls thereof) may be flexed (resiliently)outwardly to secure the bracket 2 to the support member 12, inhibitingor substantially preventing its removal. As described, some otherexamples may require the inward flexing (resiliently) of the bracket 2(and, in particular, the side walls thereof) to fit the bracket 2 to thesupport member 12. This flexing may be flexing about the further wall ofthe bracket 2 to move the side walls towards (in the case of inwardflexing) or away (in the case of outward flexing) from each other. Thisflexing is resilient in that the side walls are biased towards a neutralstate (from which position the side walls are moved with respect to eachother). As will be understood, this movement may be rotational movementabout the further wall and each side wall may rotate about a respectiveaxis defined by the juncture between that side wall and the furtherwall. Accordingly, the movement of one side wall with respect to the maybe movement of distal ends of the side walls with respect to each other(the distal ends being remote from the further wall). In other words,the movement may be movement of the hooks 21 in each pair, if provided,away and towards each other (i.e. with respect to each other).

In some versions, the side walls of the bracket 2 may include apertures26 therethrough (see FIG. 17, for example). In some versions, each ofthe side walls of the bracket 2 includes a respective aperture 26 andthese apertures 26 are aligned. The or each fin 116 may include acorresponding aperture such that a pin, bolt, cable, rope, or othermember may be fitted to the apertures to inhibit or substantiallyprevent the removal of the fin 116 from the bracket 2. The apertures 26could be of any suitable size or shape and may be square, for example.

In some versions, therefore, one or more support members 12 may beprovided with each support member 12 including one or more securinglocations along a length thereof. In some versions there are a pluralityof support members 12 which are substantially identical. The or eachsupport member 12 may be provided in a kit with one or more othercomponents, in any combination, described herein.

The or each securing location may include, for example, a plurality ofhook apertures 122 a, with each hook aperture 122 a configured toreceive one or more hooks 21 of the bracket 2. In some versions, eachhook aperture 122 a is configured to receive two hooks 21 (although thisneed not be the case). There may be securing locations provided onmultiple sides of the support member 12 at the same distance along thelength thereof. In the case of a support member 12 with a squarecross-section, for example, there may be one such securing location oneach of the four sides thereof at the same distance along the length(i.e. distance from an end).

FIG. 20, therefore, for example, depicts (one side of) a support member12 which includes just such a plurality of securing locations (e.g.six), with each securing location including two hook apertures 122 a(one located above the other). Each securing location is shown in moredetail in FIG. 21, for example. In some versions, one or more of thesecuring locations may include a further aperture 123. The furtheraperture 123 may be configured to receive a pin, for example, for use insecuring a legacy bracket 7 to the support member 12. Just such a legacybracket 7 is shown, for example in FIG. 31. This legacy bracket 7 may beconfigured to slide along the support member 12 and be secured theretoby use of the pin through an aperture in the legacy bracket 7 and thefurther aperture 123, for example. The legacy bracket 7 could take anumber of different forms but may include a receiver through which thesupport member 12 may pass and one or more slot members mounted to thereceiver each configured to receive a respective fin 116, for example.The aperture in the legacy bracket 7 may be defined by thereceiver—which may be configured to slide along a support member 12 tothe desired location to be secured by the pin. This can be seen in FIG.46, for example.

The support member 12, for example of FIG. 20, may be a leg member and afoot plate may be secured to a lower end of the support member 12. Thelower end of the support member of FIG. 20 is depicted in FIG. 22, forexample. In this example (and some others), the support member 12 at thelower end may define one or more slots 124 (e.g. three) and/or one ormore holes 125 (e.g. one) for use in securing the foot plate to thesupport member 12. This may be achieved by inserting a part of the footplate (e.g. an extension thereof) into the support member 12 and thenpassing a pin or other member through at least one of the slot(s) 124and/or hole(s) 125 and into the part of the foot plate received by thesupport member 12. In some versions, the end of the support member 12 isreceived by an extension of the foot plate instead (or in addition).Accordingly, the foot plate and support member 12 may be telescopicallyengaged. In some versions, the or each slot 124 is used to weld the footplate in place (e.g. to weld the part received by the support member 12to the support member 12). This need not, however, be the case. Indeed,the or each slot 124 may be used to allow visual confirmation of thecorrect fitting of the foot plate to the support member 12 (e.g. with apart of the foot plate received by the support member 12 as described).In some versions, the or each slot 124 is used in securing a kick plateto the support member 12 (e.g. using a bolt or the like).

FIG. 39 shows a similar support member 12 to that depicted in FIG. 20and the description in relation to versions such as depicted in FIG. 20applies equally to versions such as depicted in FIG. 39. It should benoted, however, that the securing locations at the top of the supportmember 12 of FIG. 39 (and some others) each include three hook apertures122 a. This is shown in more detail in FIG. 40, for example, and such aconfiguration may be used in other versions too. In addition, or in someversions alternatively, the one or more slots 124 described above areprovided as one or more apertures 124 a. These apertures 124 a may servethe same purpose as the slots 124 described herein. There may be anarray of such apertures 124 a provided, which may be a linear array.There may be four apertures provided and these may be provided in twogroups of two (and each group may be a one-by-two array of apertures).There may be a larger distance between the closest apertures 124 a ofthe two groups than there is between the apertures 124 a of the samegroup. FIG. 41 shows one of the aforementioned groups of apertures 124 ain more detail (which is the lowermost group in this instance). Thissame or a similar arrangement can be seen also in FIGS. 42-45, with FIG.45 showing more detail. The one or more apertures 124 a (rather thanslots 124) may be used in other versions, including—for example—theversion of FIG. 39.

In some versions, the support member 12 may be a handrail support member12 and an example is depicted in FIG. 23. Such a support member 12 mayalso include one or more securing locations as described above. In someversions of the handrail support member 12 there may be one or moresecuring locations at a first (upper) end and one or more securinglocations generally in a middle position along the length of the supportmember 12. This may enable a handrail 5 (see FIG. 28) to be provided attwo different locations. The handrail 5 may include a beam 51 withrespective fins 116 located at either end to enable attachment of thehandrail 5 to the brackets 2 as described herein. FIGS. 42 to 45 show anexample of another support member 12 which may be a handrail supportmember 12, for example (although this need not be the case). FIG. 46shows two different handrails 5 secured to two securing locations at oneend (e.g. the top end) of the depicted support member 12. The twodifferent handrails 5 may have different heights, for example. Asdescribed herein this may be achieved by enabling the brackets 2 to befitted at different positions along the length of the support member 12(through, in this instance, the provision of an array of more than twohook apertures 122 a). It should be noted that, in FIG. 46, thearrangement of hook apertures 122 a of the securing location which isvisible may be the same as the arrangement of hook apertures 122 a ofthe securing locations to which the brackets 2 are fitted. Therefore, itcan be seen that one bracket 2 may be using the two lowermost hookapertures 122 a at its securing location and the other bracket 2 may beusing the two uppermost hook apertures 122 a at its securing location.

The support member 12 in the form of a handrail support member 12 may befitted to the end of a support member 12 which is in the form of a legmember. To achieve this a connection member 6 (or spigot) may beprovided. Examples of the connection member 6 are shown in FIGS. 23, 26,29, 30, and 32-35.

The connection member 6 may include a first elongate plate 61 to whichmay be mounted second and third elongate plates 62,63. The first, secondand third elongate plates 61,62,63 may be mounted such that theirlongitudinal axes are all generally parallel with each other but withthe second and third elongate plates 62,63 perpendicular to the firstelongate plate 61. The first, second, and third 61,62,63 elongate platesmay, therefore, form a connection member 6 with a cross-shapedcross-section (and the second and third elongate plates 62,63 may belocated generally halfway across a width of the first elongate plate61). The first elongate plate 61 may be longer than the second and thirdelongate plates 62,63. At one or both ends, the first elongate plate 61may, therefore, extend beyond the second and third elongate plates 62,63(which may be generally aligned with each other and may be ofsubstantially the same length). The second and third elongate plates62,62 may be welded to the first elongate plate 61.

The connection member 6 may be inserted into an upper end of the supportmember 12 which is in the form of a leg member and into the lower end ofthe support member 12 which is in the form of a handrail supportmember—see FIGS. 23 and 30, for example. This may connect the twosupport members 12 (which could also be other types of support member 12and need not be those described herein).

The connection member 6 may define at least one aperture 611 which maybe defined by an end of the first elongate member 61 (e.g. the end whichextends beyond the second and third elongate members 62,63). A pin,bolt, or other member, may be passed through, for example, an aperture(such as the further aperture 123) in the support member 12 (which maybe the support member 12 in the form of a leg member) and through one ofthe at least one aperture 611 of the connection member 6 to secure thetwo pieces together. In some versions, see FIGS. 32-35 as an example butthis applies to some other versions too, there may be two such apertures611 provided. These apertures 611 may be provided as a linear array ofapertures 611, for example.

The cross-shape of the connection member 6 may help to reduce the riskof interference with any brackets 2 connected (or to be connected) withthe support member 12. The upper support member 12 (e.g. the handrailsupport member 12) may be slotted on to the end of the connection member6 and may be held in place by gravity or one or more pins, bolts orother members. In some versions, there may be a slot 124 or aperture 124a defined in the support member 12 (e.g. the handrail support member 12)towards one end thereof (e.g. the lower end) which enables weldingand/or visual inspection of the connection member 6 within the supportmember 12 (e.g. within the handrail support member 12). In some versionsthe slot 124 or aperture 124 a is used to secure a kick plate to thesupport member 12 (using a bolt or the like).

A thickness of the first and/or second and/or third elongate plate61,62,63 may be less than the distance between two adjacent hooks 21 ofthe bracket 2 (such that the elongate plate 61,62,63 can passtherebetween when the bracket 2 is connected to the support member 12).This can be seen in FIG. 47, for example, which shows a detailed view ofa support member 12 and two hook apertures 122 a with an elongate plate61,62,63 of a connection member 6 visible therethrough.

In some versions, the connection member 6 may include a collar 64 whichmay be located around at least part of the first elongate member 61,and/or the second elongate member 62, and/or the third elongate member63. The collar 64 may be of the same external cross-sectional shape asan internal cross-sectional shape of the support member 12—e.g. a squarecross-section. The collar 64 may be configured, in some versions, toslide into the support member 12 but in some versions may be configuredto abut the end of the support member 12. In the former case, the collar64 may aid the alignment of the connection member 6 within the supportmember 12 and in the latter case the collar 64 may allow the connectionmember 6 to sit atop a support member 12 without necessarily requiringthe use of a pin or the like through the aperture 611.

In some versions, with FIGS. 32-35 being one example, the connectionmember 6 may include a tubular insert section 65 which may be locatedone end of the connection member 6. The first, second, and/or thirdelongate members 61,62,63 may be at least partially received by thetubular insert section 65. In some versions, the tubular insert section65 has an external cross-section which matches that of the supportmember 12 (e.g. the internal cross-section thereof) and so which may besquare or rectangular, for example. In some versions, the tubular insertsection 65 forms about half the height of the connection member 6. Thetubular insert section 65, therefore, has one end which is also an endof the connection member 6 (e.g. an upper end of both the connectionmember 6 and the tubular insert section 65) and another end which islocated along the length of the connection member 6 (e.g. at about themiddle of the connection member 6 and which may be the lower end of thetubular insert section 65).

In some such versions, the lower end of the tubular insert section 65(i.e. the end which is located along the length of the connection member6) may include one or more cut-outs (which may be generally rectangularin shape). The or each cut-out may provide access to the space around atleast part of the first, second, and/or third elongate member 61,62,63.As described, the hooks 21 may pass either side of the first, second,and/or third elongate members 61,62,63 when the connection member 6 isfitted to a support member 12 and one or more brackets 2 are also fittedto the support member 12. Therefore, the or each cut-out may permit anuppermost of the hook apertures 122 a (or more than one uppermost hookaperture 122 a) to be used to fit a bracket 2 when a connection member 6is fitted to the support member 12 (as the tubular insert section 65 mayotherwise block this in some versions).

The collar 64 may be provided around at least part of the tubular insertsection 65, for example. The collar 64 may be provided between the oreach cut-out and an end of the tubular insert section 65 (which may bethe end of which is also the end of the connection member 6).

The tubular insert section 65 may define one or more pin apertures 651.In some versions, each side of the tubular insert section 65 defines atleast one pin aperture 651. The or each pin aperture 651 may be locatedtowards the end of the tubular insert section 65 which may be the end ofwhich is also the end of the connection member 6. In some instances,therefore, this is a position above the collar 64 (with the connectionmember 6 in its normal in use orientation).

The tubular insert section 65 may be at least partially received by anend of a support member 12, which may then about the collar 64. Asdescribed, the other end of the connection member 6 may be at leastpartially received by another support member 12, which may abut thecollar 64. The receipt of the tubular insert section 65 and other end ofthe connection member 6 by support members 12 may be telescopic receipt,for example. The collar 64 may, therefore, be sandwiched between the twosupport members 12 on the ends of the connection member 6. The tubularinsert section 65 may provide a relatively close fit with the supportmember 12 to restrict unwanted lateral movement between the two. One ormore pins may be used to secure the connection member 6 to either orboth support member 12—e.g. using the aperture(s) 611, pin aperture(s)651, slot(s) 124 or aperture(s) 124 a, and/or further aperture(s) 123.

In some versions, the connection member 6 may be secured to the supportmember 12 in an irremovable manner (e.g. to form the first endconfiguration 12 a). The connection member 6 may be secured to thesupport member 12 by welding, for example. FIGS. 42-45 show an exampleversion with a connection member 6 secured, e.g. by welding, to an end(e.g. a lowermost end) of the support member 12 (which may be a handrailsupport member 12). Welding may be achieved through the aperture(s) 124a or slots 124, for example. In some such versions, the collar 64 maynot be provided. Therefore, the end of one support member 12 may abutthe end of another support member 12, with the connection member 6partially received by each of those two support members 12. In otherversions, the collar 64 may be provided. Likewise, the depicted versionin these figures includes the tubular insert section 65 but, again, thisneed not be the case in some versions. Accordingly, the connectionmember 6 may be viewed as part of a support member 12 rather than as aseparate element.

In some embodiments, brackets 2 may be connected to opposing ends of adiagonal cross-brace member 3. The diagonal cross-brace member 3 may beelongate and may be formed from box section material, for example. Thediagonal cross-brace member 3 may be welded, for example, to twobrackets 2 (one at either end thereof). The connection may be a diagonalconnection such that, with one of the two brackets 2 connected to afirst support member 12 and the other of the two brackets 2 connected toa second support member 12 (the two support members having offsetlongitudinal axes—i.e. being horizontally spaced apart), the diagonalcross-brace member 3 extends diagonally between the two support members12.

The hooks 21 of the brackets 2 have been found to be particularly goodas forces applied to the bracket 2 are normally downward (e.g. gravity)and this keeps the hooks 21 engaged. The receipt of the fin 116 in theslot of the bracket 2, particularly a tapering fin 116 and slot, alsodrive (under gravity) parts into engagement. The open ended slot of someembodiments means that the bracket 2 can be used with different lengthsof fin 116 and/or that the bracket 2 (excluding the catch mechanism 22)can be readily manufactured from sheet material.

Various of the figures include dimensions and these are given in mm. Thedimensions given are by way of example only and should be viewed as justone version of what is depicted in those figures—i.e. the figures shouldalso be viewed as being representative of versions with differentdimensions but the same features.

In some embodiments, the provision of the hooks 21 as extensions of theside wall material makes for simpler and cheaper manufacturing.

Similarly, the use of end plates 115 and/or hook portions 113 a in theconstruction of the decking members 11 simplifies the constructionwithout compromising the strength of the decking member 11.

Some versions provide multiple different options of the securing ofbrackets 2, legacy brackets 7 and handrails 5 to the support members 12.This provides a number of options and allows existing or old stock ofequipment to be used (e.g. from earlier system versions).

The components of the modular platform system 1 may each be formed frommetal and that metal may be steel.

References hereinto upper, lower, uppermost, lowermost, top and bottom,and other orientation dependent descriptions, are in terms of the normalin use orientation of the element concerned.

In some versions, there is a method provided of using the abovedescribed versions of the technology in the manners described (e.g. tofit or remove a bracket 2 from a support member 12 and/or to fit adecking member 11 and/or handrail 5).

When used in this specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and“comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features,steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted toexclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the followingclaims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific formsor in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or amethod or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate,may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised forrealising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have beendescribed, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to belimited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construedliterally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.

Aspects

-   1. A support member and bracket for a modular decking system,    wherein the support member includes at least one securing location    at which the bracket is securable to the support member, and the    bracket includes:    -   one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook        apertures of the securing location; and    -   a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot        for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.-   2. A support member and bracket according to aspect 1, wherein the    support member includes a plurality of securing locations at which    the bracket is securable to the support member, each securing    location including one or more hook apertures configured to receive    the one or more hooks of the bracket.-   3. A support member and bracket according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein    the tapering slot is an open ended slot at both a first and second    end of the bracket.-   4. A support member and bracket according to any preceding aspect,    wherein the bracket further includes a catch mechanism including a    catch member configured to move between a retracted and an extended    position with respect to the side walls of the bracket, such that    with the bracket secured to the support member and the catch member    in the extended position, at least part of the catch member is    received by a securing aperture of the support member at the    securing location.-   5. A support member and bracket according to any preceding aspect,    wherein the one or more hooks include a pair of hooks.-   6. A support member and bracket according to aspect 5, wherein the    pair of hooks are configured to be received between two outer edges    of the one or more hook apertures.-   7. A support member and bracket according to aspect 6, wherein the    two outer edges define a wide and narrow portion with a thickness of    a portion of the bracket configured to be received by the or each    hook aperture being greater than a width of the narrow portion and    the wide portion being wider than the narrow portion.-   8. A support member and bracket according to aspect 7, wherein the    portion of the bracket configured to be received by the or each hook    aperture is at least part of the pair of hooks.-   9. A support member and bracket according to any of aspects 6 to 8,    wherein the two outer edges are outer edges of a single hook    aperture.-   10. A support member and bracket according to any of aspects 6 to 8,    wherein the two outer edges are outer edges of respective hook    apertures.-   11. A support member and bracket according to any preceding aspect,    further including a connection member with a cross-shaped    cross-section configured to be at least partially received by the    support member to enable the support member to be connected to a    further support member.-   12. A support member and bracket according to any of aspects 5 to    11, wherein the one or more hooks include two pairs of hooks.-   13. A support member and bracket according to any preceding aspect,    wherein the or each hook includes a hook head at least partially    defining a hook gap including a wide mouth portion and a narrow    inner portion.-   14. A support member and bracket according to any preceding aspect,    wherein the bracket is configured to be flexed such that the    distance between the pair of side walls is changed resiliently.-   15. A support member and bracket according to aspect 14, wherein the    pair of side walls are configured to be flexed towards each other    for receipt of the or each hook by the or each hook aperture.-   16. A support member and bracket according to aspect 14, wherein the    bracket defines a threaded aperture for receipt of a male threaded    member of the bracket, such that extension of the male threaded    member through the threaded aperture presses the male threaded    member against one of the pair of side walls to flex the side walls    apart from each other.-   17. A modular decking system cross-brace member including:    -   a beam; and    -   two brackets, each bracket coupled to an opposing end of the        beam, wherein each bracket is configured to be secured to a        respective securing location of a support member, and wherein        each bracket includes:    -   one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook        apertures of the securing location; and    -   a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot        for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam and a further        bracket.-   18. A modular platform system for use on a construction site, the    system including a support member and bracket, wherein the support    member includes at least one securing location at which the bracket    is securable to the support member, and the bracket includes:    -   one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook        apertures of the securing location; and    -   a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot        for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.-   19. A decking member for a modular platform system, the decking    member including:    -   a frame having at least two frame members;    -   an end plate secured to both of the at least two frame members        and including a fin extending substantially perpendicular to a        main plane of the end plate, the fin being for receipt by a slot        of a support member.-   20. A decking member according to aspect 19, wherein the end plate    is located at an intersection of the at least two frame members.-   21. A decking member according to aspect 19 or 20, wherein the end    plate is substantially triangular in shape.-   22. A decking member according to any of aspects 19 to 21, wherein    the fin and end plate are integrally formed.-   23. A decking member for a modular platform system, the decking    member including:    -   a frame member; and    -   a beam, wherein the frame member defines a recess with a lip,        and the beam has a hook portion configured to be at least        partially received by the recess and to engage the lip.-   24. A decking member according to aspect 23, wherein the recess is    an open ended recess such that the hook portion may be slid into and    along the recess from an open end of the recess.-   25. A tool including:    -   two arms; and        a pivotable coupling between the two arms to define a pair of        handles to one side of the pivotable coupling and a pair of grip        members to the other side of the pivotable coupling,        wherein the grip members each include, at their distal ends, a        respective L-shaped member for applying a clamping force to a        bracket.-   26. A tool and bracket combination, wherein the tool is a tool    according to aspect 25 and the tool is configured to apply the    clamping force to the bracket.-   27. A modular decking system bracket including:    -   one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook        apertures of a securing location of a support member of the        modular decking system; and    -   a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot        for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.-   28. A module decking system bracket according to aspect 27, wherein    the one or more hooks extend from the pair of side walls, and the    side walls are configured to flex resiliently inwardly with respect    to each other.-   29. A module decking system bracket according to aspect 27, wherein    the one or more hooks extend from the pair of side walls, and the    side walls are configured to flex resiliently outwardly with respect    to each other.-   30. A module decking system bracket according to aspect 29, wherein    one of the pair of side walls includes a threaded aperture    configured to receive a male threaded member such that extension of    the male threaded member through the threaded aperture causes    abutment of the male threaded member against the other of the pair    of side walls to flex the side walls outwardly with respect to each    other.

1. A support member and bracket for a modular decking system, whereinthe support member includes at least one securing location at wich thebracket is securable to the support member, and the bracket includes:one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hookapertures of the securing location; and a pair of side walls and afurther wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a deckingmember or beam.
 2. The support member and bracket according to claim 1,wherein the support member includes a plurality of securing locations atwhich the bracket is securable to the support member, each securinglocation including one or more hook apertures configured to receive theone or more hooks of the bracket.
 3. The support member and bracketaccording to claim 1, wherein the tapering slot is an open ended slot atboth a first and second end of the bracket.
 4. The support member andbracket according to claim 1, wherein the bracket further includes acatch mechanism including a catch member configured to move between aretracted and an extended position with respect to the side walls of thebracket, such that with the bracket secured to the support member andthe catch member in the extended position, at least part of the catchmember is received by a securing aperture of the support member at thesecuring location.
 5. The support member and bracket according to claim1, wherein the one or more hooks include a pair of hooks.
 6. The supportmember and bracket according to claim 5, wherein the pair of hooks areconfigured to be received between two outer edges of the one or morehook apertures.
 7. The support member and bracket according to claim 6,wherein the two outer edges define a wide and narrow portion with athickness of a portion of the bracket configured to be received by theor each hook aperture being greater than a width of the narrow portionand the wide portion being wider than the narrow portion.
 8. The supportmember and bracket according to claim 7, wherein the portion of thebracket configured to be received by the or each hook aperture is atleast part of the pair of hooks.
 9. The support member and bracketaccording to claim 6, wherein the two outer edges are outer edges of asingle hook aperture.
 10. The support member and bracket according toclaim 6, wherein the two outer edges are outer edges of respective hookapertures.
 11. The support member and bracket according to claim 1,further including a connection member with a cross-shaped cross-sectionconfigured to be at least partially received by the support member toenable the support member to be connected to a further support member.12. The support member and bracket according to claim 5, wherein the oneor more hooks include two pairs of hooks.
 13. The support member andbracket according to claim 1, wherein the or each hook includes a hookhead at least partially defining a hook gap including a wide mouthportion and a narrow inner portion.
 14. The support member and bracketaccording to claim 1, wherein the bracket is configured to be flexedsuch that the distance between the pair of side walls is changedresiliently.
 15. The support member and bracket according to claim 14,wherein the pair of side walls are configured to be flexed towards eachother for receipt of the or each hook by the or each hook aperture. 16.The support member and bracket according to claim 14, wherein thebracket defines a threaded aperture for receipt of a male threadedmember of the bracket, such that extension of the male threaded memberthrough the threaded aperture presses the male threaded member againstone of the pair of side walls to flex the side walls apart from eachother.
 17. A modular decking system cross-brace member including: abeam; and two brackets, each bracket coupled to an opposing end of thebeam, wherein each bracket is configured to be secured to a respectivesecuring location of a support member, and wherein each bracketincludes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or morehook apertures of the securing location; and a pair of side walls and afurther wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a deckingmember or beam and a further bracket.
 18. A modular platform system foruse on a construction site, the system including a support member andbracket, wherein the support member includes at least one securinglocation at which the bracket is securable to the support member, andthe bracket includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by oneor more hook apertures of the securing location; and a pair of sidewalls and a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a finof a decking member or beam.
 19. A decking member for a modular platformsystem, the decking member including: a frame having at least two framemembers; an end plate secured to both of the at least two frame membersand including a fin extending substantially perpendicular to a mainplane of the end plate, the fin being for receipt by a slot of a supportmember.
 20. The decking member according to claim 19, wherein the endplate is located at an intersection of the at least two frame members.21. The decking member according to claim 19, wherein the end plate issubstantially triangular in shape.
 22. The decking member according toclaim 19, wherein the fin and end plate are integrally formed.
 23. Adecking member for a modular platform system, the decking memberincluding: a frame member; and a beam, wherein the frame member definesa recess with a lip, and the beam has a hook portion configured to be atleast partially received by the recess and to engage the lip.
 24. Thedecking member according to claim 23, wherein the recess is an openended recess such that the hook portion may be slid into and along therecess from an open end of the recess.
 25. A tool including: two arms;and a pivotable coupling between the two arms to define a pair ofhandles to one side of the pivotable coupling and a pair of grip membersto the other side of the pivotable coupling, wherein the grip memberseach include, at their distal ends, a respective L-shaped member forapplying a clamping force to a bracket.
 26. A modular decking systembracket including: one or more hooks configured to be received by one ormore hook apertures of a securing location of a support member of themodular decking system; and a pair of side walls and a further walldefining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a decking member orbeam.
 27. The module decking system bracket according to claim 26,wherein the one or more hooks extend from the pair of side walls, andthe side walls are configured to flex resiliently inwardly with respectto each other.
 28. The module decking system bracket according to claim26, wherein the one or more hooks extend from the pair of side walls,and the side walls are configured to flex resiliently outwardly withrespect to each other.
 29. The module decking system bracket accordingto claim 28, wherein one of the pair of side walls includes a threadedaperture configured to receive a male threaded member such thatextension of the male threaded member through the threaded aperturecauses abutment of the male threaded member against the other of thepair of side walls to flex the side walls outwardly with respect to eachother.